Question about Slaughter Stream Round Trip — How Tight is the Squeeze?

[JamesMarsha11]

Hi all,

I’m heading to the Forest of Dean soon to do the Slaughter Stream long round trip, and I’m trying to get a better sense of how tight the key squeeze mentioned in the guide is. I’ll be going with a companion who isn’t particularly large, but does struggle with more restrictive squeezes, and it would be great to know what to expect before we commit to 9+ hours underground!

Does anyone have experience of the squeeze on this route, and how they compare to anything popular in Derbyshire? For example, is it tighter than something like the Cheese Press in Long Churn, Straw Passage in Bagshawe, or similar squeezes that would give a good benchmark?

Better to know now than 5 hours in with second thoughts Any insight or comparison would be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wise]

I'm relatively skinny, 10½ stone but I hardly noticed it. What I would say is that it's quite a simple squeeze in that you're lying on a solid floor so if you fit it's easy, if you don't fit it'll be a different experience. It's not an intimidating squeeze.

 

[Tritim230]

The squeeze is a double.
Assuming you are going anti clockwise (as per guide) via Dogs Grave and Remelt it is downhill.
Face the left hand wall low down.
Pass the 1st squeeze to a respite and then the 2nd squeeze which is much less intimidating as you can see the passage widening.
It isn't tight by modern standards.
Just think and take your time.
It is sideways rather than the flat out Cheese Press so difficult to compare.

It's a classic trip.
Enjoy and let us know how you get on

 

[JamesMarsha11]

The squeeze is a double.
Assuming you are going anti clockwise (as per guide) via Dogs Grave and Remelt it is downhill.
Face the left hand wall low down.
Pass the 1st squeeze to a respite and then the 2nd squeeze which is much less intimidating as you can see the passage widening.
It isn't tight by modern standards.
Just think and take your time.
It is sideways rather than the flat out Cheese Press so difficult to compare.

It's a classic trip.
Enjoy and let us know how you get on

Thank you! )) Honestly this trip has been on my list for a long time, and really looking forward to it! This is great info!

 

[Adventure Traveller]

Do it just as Tim describes, it's all about technique. I've seen people around 80kg go through.

 

[Dan S]

And I've seen people around 80Kg get stuck! (They have returned and conquered it though - as previous comments, it more about body position and technique.)
One issue for the next couple of wet weeks could be the potential sumping of Southern end of Kuwait passage, just before the Zyder Press - Not much fun to get to, as it 3/4's of the way around and it's a long way back (or a chilly, death defying free dive). Keep in touch when you are going and the 'locals' can hopefully give some up to date info..

 

[JamesMarsha11]

And I've seen people around 80Kg get stuck! (They have returned and conquered it though - as previous comments, it more about body position and technique.)
One issue for the next couple of wet weeks could be the potential sumping of Southern end of Kuwait passage, just before the Zyder Press - Not much fun to get to, as it 3/4's of the way around and it's a long way back (or a chilly, death defying free dive). Keep in touch when you are going and the 'locals' can hopefully give some up to date info..

Thanks, we are due to tackle it 7th Feb, so will check in early that week ))

 

[Babyhagrid]

I've been through recently and I'm 6"3 and 100kg and fitted quite easily. Didn't even need to take my belt off.
The molester isn't that tight, it's just long and awkward in my experience

 

[Falkland]

I have been stuck in the molester.
I'm about 95 kilos, 5 foot 9.
It's A little tight on me, but it's all about the technique and keeping low to the ground.
I do take my belt off, but probably can get through with it on.

 

[Dan S]

Thanks, we are due to tackle it 7th Feb, so will check in early that week ))

James - are you still thinking about the Long Round trip on saturday? The general consensus seems to be that the sump will 'probably' be open. Falkland has offered to go down to check out tomorrow night, if he can find a friend.
The other issues is that with all the rain, the sewage overflow pipe has been flowing, so all of the downstream section will smell of poo and be potentially infectious, especially with if anyone has open cuts.
The other option would be to explore the upstream areas of the cave (Remelt / Flow Choke), avoiding potential sumps, sewage and smells!
Let us know..

 

[JamesMarsha11]

Hi Dan!

Yep the plan is to still try the trip, we did have a report of someone doing it recently and they said the water levels were fine... Of course, I don't know what it's been like for the past couple of days.

It's an extremely generous offer to check, but please don't go out your way on our behalf ))

Is it a guarantee that the downstream section is going to stink?

Thanks
James

 

[Dan S]

Hi Dan!

Yep the plan is to still try the trip, we did have a report of someone doing it recently and they said the water levels were fine... Of course, I don't know what it's been like for the past couple of days.

It's an extremely generous offer to check, but please don't go out your way on our behalf ))

Is it a guarantee that the downstream section is going to stink?

Thanks
James

Best to check out the smell by going 5 mins downstream from Cross Stream junction, where you first get into the main streamway. Go to the shower bath area - That is where it will likely smell. You can then make your decision if you want to put up with the smell or not! Enjoy the trip and let us know how you get on.

 

[Joe Duxbury]

If "the ... sumping of Southern end of Kuwait passage, just before the Zyder Press" is a potential problem, why not do the trip clockwise? Then at least you'll know about it without having to go all the way back again. The sewage is a separate problem.

 

[Tritim230]

If "the ... sumping of Southern end of Kuwait passage, just before the Zyder Press" is a potential problem, why not do the trip clockwise? Then at least you'll know about it without having to go all the way back again. The sewage is a separate problem.

Many reasons, Joe, as you should know as it has been published in GSS Newsletter and FoDCCAG.
1. Conservation. Snow Garden and Tinkle Passage are best seen when fresh to enjoy and minimise damage. Remelt is 'mud free' which it wouldn't be if the traverse were done in reverse. It is much better now but the Rafah Crossing connection was like digging through a swamp.
2. Anticlockwise is safer. The exposed traverses beyond 'Camp' whilst not quite at OFD 3 extremes are exposed with a big drop and more difficult for tired people, so best doing on way in.
3. The Molester and the climb and squeezes before that are much harder in reverse as they are uphill.
All this is documented in the route description and guide.

 

[FoDCCAG]

The Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) - referenced as Joyford The Sink on the Welsh Water website shows this to be flowing, as of from 2am this morning. The overflow sinks into Dry Sink (which is to the right before you climb over the last fence in the Wet Sink shake hole and always worth checking before descent as it only takes 2 mins). The water comes into the system just before Cross-Stream Junction and at the Cascade (which is downstream before East Inlet). Given the overflow is running now, almost certainly any trip this weekend in the streamway will be smelly, sadly. You will know as soon as you reach Cross-Stream junction. There is a large volume of water that dilutes everything but the smell. The rest of the trip (all the upper series and Kuwait) will be pleasant, subject to the Kuwait passage not having sumped! Worth checking this site for overflow status https://corporate.dwrcymru.com/en/community/environment/storm-overflow-map and clicking on the icon with above reference.
Last February was extremely dry in the Forest, sadly not the case this year.

 

[JamesMarsha11]

I really appreciate the support from everyone on this one. We have an Airbnb booked, and a guide kindly leading us into a mine on the Sunday. I will confer with the 3 others this evening and decide what to do

Again thankyou! I have wanted to do the long round trip for a while, but I know it's not going anywhere!

 

[tdobson]

All this is documented in the route description and guide.

I wondered this same thing (but didn't ask). Thanks for explaining

(And thanks for reassuring me that if I had read the things I'd read if I ever give it a go, I would also find the answer there!)

 

[JamesMarsha11]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a potential other trip around the local area that is less prone to sewage & flooding, as it does look like the overflow has been running and still running... I am also a little worried about the amount of water (I have had to drive through a few fords on the way here)?

 

[me]

Miss Grace's Lane - key needed & rope for ladder entrance
The mines in the area are great but will need someone to show you round & possibly keys.
The water has come up a lot so lower levels are now cut off.

 

[hannahb]

For the uninitiated... What would possess you to go into a cave passage where you knew there to be sewage? Is it otherwise excellent and unmissable?